I provide my notes freely for others, they are not complete and I am not a doctor or specialist in anatomy.
Medical Anatomy Terms Prefixes Notes
A – without
Apnoea – without breath or air
-pnoea – breath or air
Achlorhydria – less hydrochloric acid in the stomach
-chlorhydria – acid in stomach
Atony – muscle lost its tone, muscle has lost its strength,
gastrointestinal atony –
uterine atony – loss of tone in uterine muscle, possible after child birth, could be more bleeding because bleeding vessels not clamped down
-tony – tone of a muscle
An – without
anaerobic – without oxygen, absence of oxygen
-aerobic – oxygen
anemic – lower concentration of hemoglobin, reduced amount of blood
anaemia – “Pathology. a quantitative deficiency of the hemoglobin, often accompanied by a reduced number of red blood cells and causing pallor, weakness, and breathlessness.” – Dictionary.com
anasthesia – without feeling
Anti – against
antibiotic – against bacteria
antiperistalsis – going in opposite direction such as in vomitting, against normal physiological direction
anti-inflammatory – against inflammation (hydrocortisone – inhibit the inflammatory response), NSAID non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs working against the inflammatory response
Ante – before
antenatal – before birth
Brady – slow
bradypnoea – slow breathing
bradycardia – slow heart beat (below 60 bpm)
bradykinesia – someone has slow movements
-kinesia – movement
Cardia (c)(o) – heart
cardiac arrest – heart is arrested, essentially no cardiac output
cardiomegaly – enlarged heart
-megaly – pathiologically enlarged, or big, megastructure
cardiology – study of the heart, doctor that specializes in cardiac diseases
Chole – bile
cholecystectomy – surgical removal of the Gallblader
-cyst – bladder, fluid filled space
-ectomy – removal
cholangitis – inflammation of Bile ducts
scherlozing – means hardening of tissue
cholecystitis – inflammation of the Gallblader
Col – colon, large intestine
colostomy – surgical opening formed by surgeon, part of colon taken away
colectomy – surgical removal of, whole rare, partial colectomy
colitis – inflammation of the colon
coliforms – bacteria normally found in colon, bacteria normally in feces (1/3 of weight of stool is bacteria) (ecoli)
melancholy – black bile, prescientific times
Cyst – bladder
cystitis – inflammation of the urinary bladder
ovarian cyst – fluid filled space in the ovary
cystoscopy – look into the bladder
-scopy – look into
Cyto – cell
cytosol – “nounCell Biology. the water-soluble components of cell cytoplasm, constituting the fluid portion that remains after removal of the organelles and other intracellular structures.” – Dictionary.com
Endo – inside
endoscopy – look inside
endocardium – inside layer of the heart, paricardium is outside layer
endocarditis – inflammation of the endocardium
endometrium – inside layer of the uteris
Dys – abnormal or painful
dysuria – painful urination, painful passage of urine
dysmenorrhoea – painful menstration, period pains
dyspnoea – difficult, or painful breathing (difficult breathing)
dysphagia – difficulty swallowing
dysphasia – difficult with speech
Enteric – intestinal
enteric fever –
enteric feeding – into the intestine
enteric coated – special coating so not absorbed by stomach
enterovirus – virus that affects the intestine
gastroenterologist – expert in the stomach intestine
gasto- stomach
-entero – intestinse
-ologist – expert
Erythro – red
erythrocyte – red blood cell, have no nucleus, have no DNA, contain hemoglobin (280 million/RBC), Functions in transport of respiratory gases O2 and CO2, lack mitochondria (consumer of Oxygen), rely on glycolysis almost entirely for energy.
erythropoietin (EPO) – hormone produced by kidney, used as performance enhancing drug to stimulate RBC production (hemopoiesis or hematopoiesis), stimulus low O2 levels
Gastr(o) – stomach
gastritis – inflammation of the stomach
gastroscopy – to look into the stomach
gastroparesis – weakness of stomach
-paresis – weakness
Gly – sugar
hypoglycaemia – low blood sugar
glycogen – storage molecule for glucose in the blood, insulin converts glucose into glycogen, glycogen is then stored in muscle and liver
Haem (hem) – blood
haematuria – blood in the urine
-uria – urine
haematemesis – blood in vommiting, partially digested looks like coffee grounds
haemoptysis – coughing up of blood from
haematology – study of blood
haemangioma – collection of blood vessels that form a clump under the skin
-angio – blood vessels
-oma – lump
Hemi – half
hemisphere – half spheres
hemiplegia – half of body is paralyzed such as in a stroke
-plegia – paralysis
hemiparesis –
-paresis – weakness
hemicolectomy – half removal of the colon
-col – colon
-ectomy – removal
Hemo – https://www.dictionary.com/browse/hemo- “a combining form meaning “blood,” used in the formation of compound words: hemocyte.” – Dictionary.com
hemoglobin – protein found in blood (280 million/RBC), protein (4 globins) with associated heme groups and Fe2+ (Iron), each hemoglobin can bind 4 O2 molecules, O2 binds specifically with Fe2+ molecules
hemocyte – “a blood cell.” – Dictionary.com
hemopoiesis – (alternate form of hematopoiesis) “the formation of blood.” – Dictionary.com
Hepato – liver
hepatocyte – liver cell
hepatitis – inflammation of the liver, could be caused by viral
hepatomegaly – enlarged liver
hepatocellular carcionma – primary tumor that begins in the hepatocytes
Hyper – high
hyperglycameia – high blood sugar
hypertension – high blood pressure
-tension – pressure
hypertrophy – abnormal enlargement of a part or organ
hyperthermia – abnormally high body temperature (generally when not associated with a fever pyrexia)
hyperthyroidism – too high TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone), Grave’s disease
hypercholesterolaemia – too high of cholesterol in blood
hyperactivity disorder – “Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental disorders affecting children. Symptoms of ADHD include inattention (not being able to keep focus), hyperactivity (excess movement that is not fitting to the setting) and impulsivity (hasty acts that occur in the moment without thought).” – WebMD
hyperlipidaemia – an abnormally high level of lipids, esp cholesterol, in the blood, predisposing to atherosclerosis and other arterial diseases
hyperkinesia – (Pathology) An abnormal amount of uncontrolled muscular action; spasm. (Psychiatry) A disorder occurring in children and adolescents, characterized by excessive activity, extreme restlessness, impulsivity, and a short attention span.
Hypo – low (under the bed) derived from Greek word for under, lower than it should be (lower than physiological range)
hypoglycaemia – low blood sugar
glyc – sugar
aemia – in the blood
hypotension – low blood pressure, shock
hypothermia – abnormally low body temperature
hypoalbuminaemia – give protein to eat
hypothyroidism – Deficient activity of the thyroid gland. The condition produced by a deficiency of thyroid secretion, resulting in goiter, myxedema, and, when untreated in children, intellectual disability.
hypogamaglobulinaemia –
hypodermic – needle below the dermis (skin)
dermis – skin
Laparo – abdomen
laparotomy – “Incision through the abdominal wall. Incision into the loin, especially for access to the abdominal cavity.” – Dictionary.com
laparoscopy – examination of the abdominal cavity or performance of minor abdominal surgery using a laparoscope.
Litho – stone
lithotripsy – crushing of the stone
urolithiasis – stones in the urinary tract
uro – urinary tract
cholelithiasis – stones in the gallblader
lithotomy – position for removing bladder stones
Lipo – fat
lipaemic – fat in the blood
dyslipidaemia – “Dyslipidemia is the imbalance of lipids such as cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, (LDL-C), triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). This condition can result from diet, tobacco exposure, or genetic and can lead to cardiovascular disease with severe complications.” – National Institutes of Health (.gov)
lipoma – fatty lump, benign, soft
Mal – abnormal
malfunction – function is not normal
malabsorbtion – absorbtion is not normal
malnutrition – abnormal nutrition
malunion – orthopedics, when bones don’t heal properly, fracture is healing in abnormal fashion
malignant – disposed to cause harm, suffering, or distress deliberately; feeling or showing ill will or hatred. Very dangerous or harmful in influence or effect.
Mast – breast
mastectomy – removal of the breast
mastitis – inflammation of the breast, complication of breast feed
mastalgia – pain in the breasts
-algia – pain
gynecomastia – when men develop breasts
Myo – muscle
myocardium – muscle of the heart
myocarditis – inflammation of the muscle of the heart, viral infection possible
myopathy – disease in a muscle
myoma – benign lump in a muscle
myosarcoma –
rhabdomyolysis – can cause acute renal failure
Neph(r)(o) – kidney
nephrologist – studies the kidneys and kidney diseases
nephrotic syndrome –
nephritis – inflammation of the kidneys
pylonephritis – inflammation of renal pelvis, usually caused by bacteria infection (serious condition)
pylo-renal pelvis
nephrotoxic – toxic to kidneys, some antibiotics (have to monitor so not in nephrotoxic range)
hydronephrosis – urine dams back into the kidney, kidneys water logged over time can cause renal failure
Olig(o) – few
oliguria – low volumes of urine
oligospermia – low sperm count, conception less likely to occur
oligohydramnios – deficiency in amniotic fluid, potential for congentital birth defects, Potter’s syndrome
oligodendrocyte – “anatomy a glial cell involved in the formation of the myelin sheaths of nerve cell axons” – Dictionary.com
Peri – about around
pericardium – around the heart
pericarditis – inflammation of pericardium
perinatal – time around birth
perioperative – care of patient before, during, and after surgery
Phospho – “a combining form representing phosphorus in compound words: phosphoprotein.” – Dictionary.com
phospholipid – “nounBiochemistry. any of a group of fatty compounds, as lecithin, composed of phosphoric esters, and occurring in living cells.” – Dictionary.com
phospholipid bilayer – “noun. a two-layered arrangement of phosphate and lipid molecules that form a cell membrane, the hydrophobic lipid ends facing inward and the hydrophilic phosphate ends facing outward.” – Dictionary.com
Prost – prostate
prostatitis – inflammation of the prostate gland, blood in seminal fluid
prostatism – abnormal condition of the prostate gland
prostate cancer – most common cancer diagnosed in men
prostatectomy – removal of prostate
Pyr(o) – fire
pyrexia – fever
apyrexia – no fever
antipyretic – used to reduce fever
pyrogen – will increase body temperature, infection can be a pyrogen
Reticulo – “Reticulum; reticular.” – https://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/reticulo-
reticular – “adjective having the form of a net; netlike. intricate or entangled.” – Dictionary.com, not to be confused with rectangular
reticulocyte – “noun Anatomy. a very young red blood cell, sampled as a measure of red blood cell formation; reticulated erythrocyte.” – Dictionary.com
reticuloendothelial – “adjective Cell Biology. 1. pertaining to, resembling, or involving cells of the reticuloendothelial system. 2. of a cell, having both reticular and endothelial characteristics.” – Dictionary.com
Tachy – abnormally fast
tachicardia – fast heart rate
tachypnoea – fast respiratory rate
A few terms I heard trying to familiarize self with
diastolic – indicating the arterial pressure during the interval between heartbeats.
fibrosis – the development in an organ of excess fibrous connective tissue.
cirrhosis – a disease of the liver characterized by increase of connective tissue and alteration in gross and microscopic makeup.
benign – not malignant; self-limiting, having no harmful influence or effect
malignant – disposed to cause harm, suffering, or distress deliberately; feeling or showing ill will or hatred. Very dangerous or harmful in influence or effect.
sarcoma – any of various malignant tumors composed of neoplastic cells resembling embryonic connective tissue.
mitochondria – “plural noun,singular mi·to·chon·dri·on [mahy-tuh-kon-dree-uhn]. Cell Biology. organelles that are found in the cytoplasm of cells and that function in energy production.” – Dictionary.com
porins – holes in mitochondria that allow in smaller molecules
matrix – inner layer of mitochondria
Kreb cycle – “nounBiochemistry. a cycle of enzyme-catalyzed reactions in living cells that is the final series of reactions of aerobic metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fatty acids, and by which carbon dioxide is produced, oxygen is reduced, and ATP is formed.” – Dictionary.com
glycolysis – happens in cytoplasm, 6 carbon, does not need oxygen (can happen in presence or not in presence of oxygen)
pyruvate – 3 carbon, “nounChemistry. an ester or salt of pyruvic acid.” – Dictionary.com
pyruvate oxidation –
pyruvate dehydrogenase –
pyruvate carboxylase –
Coenzyme A – “nounBiochemistry. a coenzyme, composed of a phosphorylated derivative of pantothenic acid linked to adenylic acid, that participates in the transfer of acyl groups in fatty acid metabolism and amino acid metabolism. Abbreviation: CoA” – dictionary.com
Acetyl-CoA – Acetyl Coenzyme A, 2 carbon, used for Kreb cycle, lipids and proteins turned into this first. “nounBiochemistry. the acetylated form of coenzyme A, formed as an intermediate in the oxidation of carbohydrates, fats, and protein in animal metabolism.” – Dictionary.com
catalyst – “noun Chemistry. a substance that causes or accelerates a chemical reaction without itself being affected.” – Dictionary.com
enzyme – “nounBiochemistry. any of various proteins, as pepsin, originating from living cells and capable of producing certain chemical changes in organic substances by catalytic action, as in digestion.” – Dictionary.com
coenzyme – “nounBiochemistry. a molecule that provides the transfer site for biochemical reactions catalyzed by an enzyme.”
citric acid – 6 carbon “noun. a white, crystalline, water-soluble powder, C6H8O7⋅H2O, a tribasic acid having a strong acidic taste, an intermediate in the metabolism of carbohydrates occurring in many fruits, especially limes and lemons, obtained chiefly by fermentation of crude sugar or corn sugar: used chiefly in the flavoring of beverages, confections, and pharmaceuticals.” – Dictionary.com
oxaloacetic acid (oxaloacetate) – 4 carbon, “nounBiochemistry. a crystalline organic acid, C4H4O5, that is an important intermediate in the Krebs cycle, where it is formed by the oxidation of malic acid and is acetylated to form citric acid: also a product of transamination reactions of aspartic acid.” – Dictionary.com
aspartic acid – “nounBiochemistry. a nonessential amino acid, C4H7NO4, produced by the hydrolysis of asparagine and proteins, found chiefly in young sugarcane and sugar-beet molasses, and used in the preparation of culture media and as a dietary supplement. Abbreviation: Asp; Symbol: D” – Dictionary.com
electron transport chain – “The electron transport chain is a series of four protein complexes that couple redox reactions, creating an electrochemical gradient that leads to the creation of ATP in a complete system named oxidative phosphorylation. It occurs in mitochondria in both cellular respiration and photosynthesis. In the former, the electrons come from breaking down organic molecules, and energy is released. In the latter, the electrons enter the chain after being excited by light, and the energy released is used to build carbohydrates.” – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526105/
adenosine triphosphate (ATP) – “abbreviation, nounBiochemistry. adenosine triphosphate: an ester of adenosine and triphosphoric acid, C10H12N5O4H4P3O9, formed especially aerobically by the reaction of ADP and an orthophosphate during oxidation, or by the interaction of ADP and phosphocreatine or certain other substrates, and serving as a source of energy for physiological reactions, especially muscle contraction.” – Dictionary.com
guanosine triphosphate (GTP) – “Biochemistry. guanosine triphosphate: an ester of guanosine and triphosphoric acid that is an important metabolic cofactor and precursor in the biosynthesis of cyclic GMP.” – Dictionary.com
NAD+ –
NADH –
FADH2 –
Malate – “nounChemistry. a salt or ester of malic acid.” – Dictionary.com
Fumarate – “nounBiochemistry. the salt of fumaric acid, a key chemical intermediate in the Krebs cycle.” – Dictionary.com
Succinate – “nounChemistry. a salt or ester of succinic acid.” – Dictionary.com
Erythrocytes are Oxygen, useful Metaphor?
Body is producing 70 watts by default, useful. Not likely to power a space station if solar arrays go out with a treadmill.
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